Britain: a muslim state living under Sharia
How were nearly became a Muslim state (maybe). Read it here. Friday 15th February 2008
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How were nearly became a Muslim state (maybe). Read it here. 
11:15 pm
Binge drinking the Tesco way
Sam Coates on the Times blog says that anyone trying to fathom the Competition Commission's report on Supermarkets should 'follow the money'. He highlights the amount spent by Tesco on the party conferences as an example. I was reading Public Affairs News recently in which there was an interview with a former Tesco lobbyist who, after a spell working I think for BAA, was now joining Asda Wal-Mart. He described the activities by lobbyists at party conferences as disgraceful with PA professionals falling out of bars at 11pm or even noon. But what do Tesco spend their money on at ... 10:42 pm
End the Nixon Doctrine in the Middle East
The Nixon Doctrine stated that the US will fund and support proxies in its fight against the USSR. This doctrine had to be used in the Middle East due to the declining ability of Britain to strut the world stage. As such the US cultivated Iran and Saudi Arabia to be two pillars against Soviet encroachment into the region. Regardless of the merits of the policy then, we are still operating under it today, in a slightly revised form. Iran had it revolution and well and truly left the US orbit but Saudi Arabia is still an ally of the ... 10:20 pm
The Ghost Goes Gear has arrived
My DVD of The Ghost Goes Gear has arrived. Better than that, it has a commentary by Spencer Davis. A review will follow when I have had the unalloyed pleasure of watching it. In the mean time, there are three extracts from it on YouTube: "When I Come Home" - Spencer Davis Group; "Nobody Loves You When You're Down" - Spencer Davis Group; "Show Me Your English Teeth" - St Louis Union. 10:14 pm
Only in Cornwall
See story 
9:59 pm
Government neglect for armed forces on the front-line
I've just driven back home from my week in London and, as is my wont, listened to a mix of 5 Live and Radio 4 on the way. One of the interviews on PM was with Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth who was being asked about the soldier who died in Afghanistan because (in the Coroner's words) of an appalling failure by the British Government to supply basic kit needed by the soldiers there. The Minister said two things which really galled me. He was determined to concentrate on the fact that soldiers in theatre now have enough equipment. Well ... 9:38 pm
Covering the Presidential Election
Memory Hole has an interesting, and quite important, post on the quality of the coverage of the U.S. presidential election. As someone who consumes a lot of information about the race and the candidates, there have been many, many more horse race columns, then ideological, policy or governing philsophy of the candidates. The two major issues on the Democratic side have been around the speed of paying down the deficit, and the use of mandates for healthcare reform. Ezra Klein, of American Prospect, and Johnathan Chait, of The New Republic, have been by far the best on healthcare issues. Mark ... 9:37 pm
David Heath should stay on the Lib Dem front bench
Nich Starling, the Norfolk Blogger, is running a poll on whether or not David Heath should stay on the Lib Dem front bench if he votes in favour of a referendum on the Lisbon. I have voted that he should stay. The idea that Nick Clegg would be showing strength by forcing out one of the party's most respected Commons figures strikes me as barking mad. It would show a terrible lack of judgement. Perhaps there are arguments in favour of Heath resigning as shadow secretary of state for justice, but to convince anyone they will have to better than ... 9:04 pm
The Heath Poll and All That
Nich Starling has a poll on David Heath's position in the Shadow Cabinet. I haven't voted myself as I find it a difficult issue (and Nich can't make me vote if I don't want to). It amounts to a double question: should we vote for a referendum and should spokespeople stay in the Shadow Cabinet if they vote against the whip. On the first of these, my heart is with David. I liked the referendum policy, and I don't have any feeling that it would be a disaster for Europe if the Lisbon Treaty were never ratified. Ed Davey made ... 9:02 pm
House Points: Tales from Westminster Hall
Today's House Points column from Liberal Democrat News. (Thanks to Jonny Wright for the aardvark.) Cricket, dolphins and road safety With MPs away for a half-term holiday, its time for a round up from Westminster Hall. This secondary debating chamber is the Commons answer to the outside courts at Wimbledon. It is also where our own Greg Mulholland was recently recorded in Hansard as calling a minister "an a*******". The general view is that he called him an aardvark. Last weeks highlights included a debate on free-to-air sporting events initiated by John Grogan, the Labour MP for Selby. He spoke ... 8:49 pm
Only Rhodri!
Wales' First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, is advertising for a constituency assistant on the Work for an MP site. In typical style he uses some humour to make a political point: Rhodri Morgan AM (Cardiff West) £16805 - £24865, pro rata. As no member of my family is available to work for me, I am advertising for a member of staff to assist me in my constituency duties working at the Assembly in liaison with the main Cardiff West constituency office in Transport House. If you are interested then start here. Hat Tip: Southpaw Grammar 8:49 pm
EU ain't fooling anyone David
Firstly, many thanks to Norfolk Blogger for linking my earlier post to his poll. Now, before you vote in that poll I'd like you to think about this question. 'Why has David Heath waited til now to make this statement' Has he (a) suddenly grown some balls and thought, 'to hell with what anyone else thinks, I'm doing what I think is best' Or, (b) simply realised that his apparent camera shyness is costing him some serious votes in his constituency and thought 'shit better do something about this and quick'. If you managed to catch 'The Politics Show' on ... 8:28 pm
Licensed to smoke!
Health for England, an advisory body to the government, is proposing to charge people £10 for a licence to buy tobacco. They want the process to be as complex and inconvenient as possible - a long form to fill in, a photograph, and a requirement to renew annually. Chairman Julian Le Grand said: "If you just make it that little bit more difficult for them to actually re-start or even to start in the first place, yes I think it will make a big difference." Obviously, this is a proposal that's been floated by an interest group, and has a ... 8:21 pm
From McOndo to Macondo*
Linda Jack was writing about her Valentine's Day so I though someone else on the East of England list should join in. Ever the romantic, I took Inma to the cinema to a special showing of Love in the Time of Cholera. It is based on one of the Garcia Marquez books I haven't got around to reading, and turned out to be suitably slushy stuff for 14 February. I'm not sure I would have sat through it at any other time. Everything I have read by Garcia Marquez (and I have read most of his books) is full of ... 7:58 pm
Multi-culturalism, the latest Moral Panic
I have just read Paul Walter's excellent post on multi-culturalism. Paul hits the nail on the head "Oh dear. "Multi-culturalism" is another one of those code phrases. It means 29 different things to different people and to a large number it means "too many foreigners". Just like the word "immigration". Absolutely! It is one of those words that we all decode in our heads according to our own beliefs and values. My take is to look at what may be the opposite to "multi-culturalism", "mono-culturalism". How boring is that My only reference point for mono-culturalism is the United States, aaah ... 7:20 pm
David Heath MP: Stay or go poll
Following up on earlier ruminations about whether the young and handsome one will discover a matching pair of testicles in his undergarments and sack beardy David Heath MP, Shadow Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Nich Starling of Norfolk Blogger fame is running a poll on his website: "David Heath has defied Nick Clegg by keeping to the [...] 6:58 pm
Supermaket report - a modest step towards fairness for consumers and farmers
For years, one of my hobby-horses has been the domination of the big UK supermarket companies. I remember reading Sunday Times reports during the 1980s which said that our food prices were about 20% higher than in the States and about 10% higher than on the continent - mainly because of the domination of the market by a few rich companies. The controversy has dragged on for a long time but at 6:56 pm
A $1 million cock-up
Click here ...And here for Fill our pints to the top. 6:47 pm
That Ofsted Report
The link gives Ofsted's study into how Cafcass do their job - viz spectacularly badly. The point is that judges have tolerated such shoddy work. Most of the inspectors that work in the child protection arena are studiously careful to never blame anyone for bad work. In this case three cheers for Ofsted. 6:29 pm
Vote on the David Heath issue - Should David Heath stay or go
David Heath MP has created something of a stir by declaring that he we vote against the party line, but will also be keeping to the election pledge the Lib Dems made in 2005 when he was elected, when he supports attemts in parliament to call for a referendum on the EU constitution. Should he stay or go from the Lib Dem front bench The case against him is given HERE The case for him staying is given HERE. If you have an opinion, you can vote in the voting bar in the right hand column of this page. Voting ... 
6:20 pm
Corruption at BAE: Roll over and show us your sphincter
On top of the disclosure that anti-corruption investigations are direct causes of terrorism, a case against the government seeking to overturn the Serious Fraud Office’s decision to drop an inquiry into bribes paid to the Saudis by BAE Systems has thrown up another interesting revelation. According to Lord Justice Moses, the documents presented by the [...] 6:12 pm
Paddick's Message Twisted Shock
The Guardian has embarked on a curious little two-part project in the last couple of days. First, an article picking up Brian Paddick's policy of putting a guard on a carriage of every tube train after 9pm. To the Guardian's ears, this means "women friendly tube carriages": Women-friendly train carriages with guards on duty after 9pm would be introduced across London's underground network as part 5:41 pm
W.H.Smith abandon chocolate for memory sticks
Last August I bemoaned the fact that the cashiers at W.H.Smith always asked you if you want some chocolate. (A bit like like: "Want something for the weekend"). That W.H. Smithian chocoholism went on for several years. Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather this morning when I bought my "Private Eye". Not a bit of chocolate in sight at the till. Instead a glorious display of memory 5:35 pm
House Democrats deliver
After my criticism of the Democrat Senators for falling behind Bush and his surveillance demands, the Democrat majority in the House of Representatives have refused to approve the measures. I’m glad that the House Democrats have refused to be stampeded and have stood up to Bush and his scare mongering grab for even more power, kudos [...] 5:28 pm
We've had political correctness gone mad....now it's "obsession with multi-culturalism"
We've had "political correctness gone mad". Now the Daily Mail is putting a similar cliche into the English Language: "the obsession with multi-culturalism". Oh dear. "Multi-culturalism" is another one of those code phrases. It means 29 different things to different people and to a large number it means "too many foreigners". Just like the word "immigration". To be fair to the Mail (crikey, 5:16 pm
Bush Tarnishes the Entire Western World
American Presidents like to think of themselves as the Leader of the Western World, an image reinforced by many of my colleagues in the media. However, since the invasion of Iraq, George W Bush’s reputation has been in free-fall. Even most Americans now think negatively about him. But all this just seems to wash over him. Every [...] 5:13 pm
Post offices: only connect
Why is it that politicians dont make basic connections that make themselves easier to understand and help people remember what theyre saying Ive puzzled over this for ages. Is it that their brains are shaped like government departments, with clear demarcation lines between issues Is it that they are stuck with the usual categories of journalists Either way, why is it that Lib Dems are not making more connections about the catastrophic closure of post offices The post office issue is important on its own, but it looks like just another bandwagon campaign. Connect it to the rest and you ... 4:56 pm
What does Cameron really think
Nick Robinson has spent a while trying to track down the real David Cameron. When he did this some years ago for Gordon Brown, it was relatively straight forward - the views of Gordie were well known. David Cameron was tougher to tie down. But Robinson sets out three defining events which have shaped Cameron into an alleged Tory "moderniser": 1. His wife Samantha, who apparently dragged Cameron 4:54 pm
A strong argument against the 42 day law
I defy anyone who has any sympathy for Jacqui Smith's 42 day detention without charge proposal to read this and remain unmoved in their opinion. 4:29 pm
Clegg to sack David Heath
(That title has a question mark after it which won't show up on LibDem Blogs) The BBC says it is up to Nick Clegg to decide on David Heath's future in the Sahdow Cabinet after the MP has said that he will vote against the party line on the Lisbon Treaty. I'll be glad when all of this is over and I doubt whether David Heath ought to be kicked off the front bench for it. You could argue that it 4:28 pm
George Bush gets something right at last
While I suppose it is like that infinite number of monkeys sitting down at a infinite number of keyboards. Eventually they are bound to get something right: As (George) Bush arrives in Africa today at the start of a five-country tour he will be welcomed chiefly for an initiative which has gone largely unnoticed outside the continent but which has saved the lives of more than a million people 4:27 pm
Conway loses his £13,000 bonus
After much comment about this yesterday, Derek Conway has been stripped of his £13,000 a year place on the Commons Chairmen's Panel. Good. It seems Michael Martin is learning after all... 4:22 pm
CCTV - Defunct
Its the Future. 20 years from now. Military Law is on the street everyone is seen all of the time and your thoughts are crime. Thats the plot of every single future set drama since the beginning of time all in various shades of moodiness. 1984, Logans Run, Minority Report All really, really famous, all exactly the same in mood the future is bollocksed and to sort it out, the government has gone totalitarian and involves itself in everything. Either that, or the government has fallen and its fallen to the law enforcers to rule Robocop, Judge Dredd.. Now, of ... 4:16 pm
Should I stay or should I go now
"Should I stay or should I go now If I go there will be trouble, An if I stay it will be double, So come on and let me know, Should I stay or should I go Go David, just bloody go, will ya! There's only one thing I hate more than a martyr and thats a dithering, disloyal martyr. Well, what does he expect A pat on the back He goes out of his way to give a quote to the Western Daily Press saying that he would defy the party line over the Lisbon treaty and vote in ... 4:00 pm
Pensioner Power
Its said that political apathy is something that now affects all age groups. Not so, with the pensioners living in Somerset. Last Wednesday, 150 pensioners from the Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne Pensioner's Forum, gathered at Chard's Guildhall to voice their anger at, amongst other things the council tax. If Jill Shortland and Paul Robathan thought they were in for an easy ride - they were mistaken. Upon their arrival at the Guildhall, Somerset County Council leader Jill Shortland and South Somerset District Council's portfolio holder for finance, revenues and support services, Paul Robathan were greeted by banner waving pensioners complaining ... 3:58 pm
Ofsted inspection of CafCass
The link is to Ofsted's analysis of cafcass which includes statements such as: In another case an 11-month-old child was said to be too young to appreciate the political significance of his circumstances. Far too many reports were based on opinion, not evidence, and many were full of errors. Analysis of facts was poor, with advisers too often jumping to conclusions. In many cases inspectors 3:52 pm
The scandal of ill-equipped troops - blood on Brown's hands
Whatever our feelings about the various conflicts our troops are engaged in around the world, I think there is one thing we all ought to agree on. If we are to ask our young men and women to put their lives on the line in pursuit of our national political objectives, the least they should expect is that we honour our duty of care. The news today that a coroner has criticised the MOD for failure to provide troops with basic equipment is inexcusable. James Phillippson was killed in a firefight with Taleban, part of a troop with 3 or ... 3:50 pm
Nick Clegg vs. David Heath: Clash of the Titans
As rumoured earlier this week, David Heath MP, Lib Dem Shadow Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, has confirmed on his website that he intends to vote in favour of a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty: "The best thing would be for a proper informed debate and a referendum on the real issue - whether Britain stays [...] 3:33 pm
Results: Thursday 14th February 2008.
East Staffordshire DC, Stretton Con 661 (36.9; -11.6), Lab 366 (20.4; -7.2), BNP 327 (18.2; +18.2), Popular Alliance 233 (13.0; -10.9), LD Bryan Ambrose 205 (11.4; +11.4). Majority 295. Turnout 28%. Con hold. Last fought 2007. Moray UA, Elgin City South SNP 884 (35.1; +1.9), Ind 845 (33.5; +10.5), Lab 459 (18.2; -10.6), Ind 278 (11.0; +11.0), Con 223 (8.8; -6.3), LD Peter Horton 53 (2.1; +2.1), 3:27 pm
On Archbishops words and other rude ducks eggs.
A site worth visiting is the Language Log which has serious and not so serious explorations of well, language and how it is amused and abused. Archbishops of Canterbury and Chinese dictionary mishaps both feature currently. See for example this story about building blocks from China aimed at helping Chinese children learn English. They each have a Chinese character, a picture, and the English translation allegedly. One of the entertaining examples is of an egg, which in English is given as Dick. Explanation suggested: "ji1 dan4" = "chicken egg" was mistranslated using the entry for "ji1 ba[1]" , translated "penis ... 2:46 pm
Youth and Community Centre Update!
After a four year campaign by local councillors and residents to improve youth services in Walcot, the Riverside Youth and Community Centre behind the Porter Butt on London Road, has finally been refurbished and the access road rebuilt with new lighting. A growing youth club operates on Mondays and Thursdays from 6.45pm to 9.15pm. Cllr Colin Darracott said of the centre, "This is the end of a 4 year campaign by local councillor and local residents to save the centre from closure, and see the investment of £250,000 by Council and local businesses to improve this environment. I do hope ... 2:19 pm
Bureaucracy Gone Mad
On Wednesday night we - the Camden Lib Dems - put up heart-shaped banners on lamp posts in Belsize and South End Green to draw attention to the fact that the government is threatening to close the post offices in these communities. The aim was to leave them up throughout Valentine's Day and then take them down. However by 9am in the morning Council officers had taken them all down claiming that we were fly posting! Since when was fly posting for commercial gain the same as alerting the community to the possible loss of an essential service It's bureaucracy ... 2:15 pm
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Are the "I want a referendum" crowd a Tory front
David heath has let it be known that he will vote for a referendum on the EU constitution, going against the party whip on this issue and possibly leading to him losing his place on the Lib Dem front bench. Well done to David heath for being consistent on this issue. Which begs the questions, as David Heath alludes to HERE. why are the "I want a referendum" group holding a mock referendum in David Heath's Somerton and Frome constituency if he has and remains a supporter of a referendum The only people to gain from this are the Tories ... 1:44 pm
David Heath to vote for referendum on Lisbon treaty
The BBC reports: A Liberal Democrat MP has said he will defy his party's leadership - and risk his frontbench job - by voting for a referendum on the EU treaty. Justice spokesman David Heath said he had told the party's chief whip he planned to vote against the party line. It is now up to leader Nick Clegg to decide his future, he added. Mr Clegg will order his MPs to vote against having a referendum on the treaty or to abstain - depending on the wording of a Conservative amendment.On his own website David writes: I have for ... 1:33 pm
Plane stupid PS
After the HACAN/Friends of the Earth event, I had an email from one of the organisers: “Further to the meeting, Emily Thornberry is not listed as a signatory to EDM 350 against Heathrow expansion, contrary to her claim to have signed the EDM against Heathrow expansion in the meeting. Incidentally, 13 Labour including Jeremy Corbyn, [...] 1:28 pm
David Heath must and will stay as Shadow Justice Secretary
David Heath’s view that there should be a referendum on Lisbon is long standing and principled and I happen to agree with it. It is a treaty of important consequence. The public, even pro-Europeans, may long resent living with its effects without ever being consulted at either a referendum or a General Election. David is a highly effective Shadow [...] 1:27 pm
Plane stupid
New research suggests that aircraft noise can raise your blood pressure as you sleep. That’s if you can sleep. Islington’s skies are getting noisier each year, and Lib Dem councillors have already launched an Islington Quiet Skies campaign. The Government’s plans for expanding Heathrow are out for consultation until 25 February, when a major rally [...] 1:19 pm
Shrewsbury: Britain's UFO hotspot
Another important story from the Shropshire Star: Shrewsbury was the top town in the country last year for UFO sightings according to official figures released by the Ministry of Defence. According to the data, which was released following a Freedom of Information Act request, the county town notched up three sightings in 2007 making it the UK hotspot ahead of cities such as Cardiff and Liverpool. 1:12 pm
The "big" debate one year on
Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the Evening Mail's "big debate" on an elected mayor for Birmingham. Much has changed in a year. This year I was celebrating valentines day with my other half. But some things haven't changed. Despite the Evening Mail throwing their mighty organ behind this campaign along with the Birmingham new labour party, there has been little sign of a mayoral revolution with the masses joining the campaign. The aim has been to find 36k signatures calling for a referendum. But noises I'm hearing have suggested that only about 10k have signed. The higher figure represents ... 12:59 pm
Cllr Bob Ousby
How sad to hear that Cllr Bob Ousby has died. He had a stroke apparently. This followed a period of ill health including time in hospital when a car crushed his leg. But Bob carried on working for local people. We used to see Bob struggling into the Council Chamber, or into other meetings. It clearly was a struggle, but Bob was determined to do the work he'd been electd to do. He was one of life's gentlemen too - always ready to help or to cheer you up. He will be really missed, by his colleagues and his constituents ... 12:28 pm
Clinton rules, UK
The campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is getting away from Hillary Clinton. As I have argued previously, one of the main reasons is Barack Obamas narrative, which is more in tune with his target audiences emotional needs, more simple and more personal. Senator Obama well and truly embodies his story. But there may be another factor: what the New York Times columnist Paul Krugman calls Clinton rules: the term a number of observers use for the way pundits and some news organisations treat any action or statement by the Clintons, no matter how innocuous, as proof of evil intent. ... 12:24 pm
Enterprising young women
I met three of these young women twice in the space of 24 hours, and on both occasions I was hugely impressed by their ability to communicate to an audience. Last week I was asked to judge the Kingston stage of the "Youth Speaks" Public Speaking Competition. This was the local level of a competition staged throughout the country by branches of Rotary. Tiffin Girls entered... 12:19 pm
Another perjury charge in the Tommy Sheridan case
The BBC reports that former MSP Rosemary Byrne has been charged with perjury for evidence she gave in the Tommy Sheridan libel case. This follows the charging of Tommy himself in December for his own evidence during the trial. Tommy's wife Gail has also been interviewed by police over the evidence she gave, although no charges have yet been forthcoming for her. Although both Byrne and Sheridan are innocent until proven guilty, I wonder, if they are convicted, whether Rosie Kane, Colin Fox and the rest of their former Scottish Socialist Party colleagues might have a case for suing them ... 12:18 pm
Where to start
I gather it's always the problem, when writing anything. And the perennial answer is "start at the beginning". It's not quite as simple as all that, though, is it Do I start from the beginning of my interest in politics Best not really, or you will get the last twenty-four years of my life, from the three-year-old who could tell you the name of the prime minister and leader of the opposition on up. No, I think it might be best to begin by explain what caused me to join the Liberal Democrats, after a good ten years of following them, knowing ... 12:01 pm
walking round in circles
Just back from an hour or so to deliver a few leaflets for colleagues. And I do mean a few. I had one of those patches where every house is very different, most are huge and many letter boxes are not where you would expect them. You know, the sort of place where you walk for ages and are still only at number 11! And the sort of place where you walk out down one curving drive and then in the next one only to realise you are approaching the same door from a different direction. Still a nice walk ... 11:52 am
Mayor's adviser suspended
Update on yesterday's posting about Ken Livinsgtone. The London Mayor has now suspended his adviser, Lee Jasper, while police investigations are going on. See BBC News for more about this story. 11:05 am
Lee Jasper: suspended from job as police investigate (updated)
A news release from Brian Paddick’s campaign: Commenting on the suspension of the Mayors Police and Equalities adviser, Lee Jasper, following a police investigation, Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick, said: “This goes far beyond the allegations made by the Evening Standard, which from my understanding simply suggested that Lee Jasper had broke the rules, not broken [...] 10:59 am
Bitter disunity in the far left
Having taking some little role in the Tulketh byelection in Preston i came across this: http://www.socialistunity.com/p=1723 Evidently there is much gnashing of teeth with the different `wings` of the Far left today. I hadn’t realised that Carol from BB was their Leyton candidate - i actually quite liked her on that. However, it looked like she went [...] 10:51 am
£248,000 for more "gateway" art on the A66 at South Bank
Larger than lifesize models of a welder and a puddler, symbolising Redcar and Cleveland's industrial heritage, will form the final Gateway features in the South Tees Business Park from the A66. Redcar and Cleveland Council starts work on site on Monday, February 18 for the scheme which will feature walls interlinked by bespoke railings outlining the Eston Hills with the welder and puddler in the foreground on the verge by the South Tees Business Centre, at the junction of Normanby Road. The figures are being created by Stokesley artist Steve Tomlinson, working with Robinson Engineering at their foundry in Liverton ... 10:46 am
Next time Rick!
Three of us did our `Bette Midler dance routine` yesterday afternoon (Involves finger tapping numbers `from a distance` ring ring) and nearly helped get the indefatiguable Rick Seymour elected. Unfortunately he lost by 23. Figures: Lab 423 LD 400 Con 292 Ind 84 (really SWP) Green 36 Last time was: Lab 652, Con 480, BNP 280 and LD 173 Think it represents a [...] 10:46 am
The lesson of the Lotfi Raissi case
The latest terrorism news is a timely reminder as to why it's foolish to think that the answer to fighting terrorism is simply to give the authorities a blank slate to do whatever they want when it comes to locking up people, bugging them, and so on: Six years of fighting for justice left Lotfi Raissi an emotional and physical wreck and his marriage close to ruin. But yesterday, the Algerian pilot falsely accused of training the September 11 terrorists heard, finally, that he was completely exonerated of any part in the attacks on the twin towers... Three of Britains ... 10:40 am
Judge criticises Government over Al Yamamah
The Government was accused in court yesterday of having rolled over in the face of threats from Saudi Arabia over the investigations into bribery and corruption allegations involving BAE Systems and arms deals with Saudi Arabia. The comments came during a court hearing into the axing of the investigations: Lord Justice Moses said the court had seen nothing to suggest that the government had done “anything other than roll over” in December 2006. An attempt could have been made, he said, to get the threat to withdraw co-operation with the UK, including over security issues, lifted. Liberal Democrat MP Vince ... 10:23 am
And even more of our Post Offices are under threat...
Following on from the news about Highgate Village Post Office (sign the petition here), six more also face the axe. As the Hornsey Journal reports: THE proposed closure of seven Haringey post offices is set to be announced next week, the Journal has learned.Councillors and anxious residents have thrown their weight behind a lobby to stop the cutbacks which could see trade and the community suffer. The leaked list, revealed by a reliable source, includes Weston Park, Ferme Park Road, Alexandra Park Road, Salisbury Road, West Green Road, Page Green Road and Highgate High Street... Lib Dem MP for Hornsey ... 9:55 am
Climate change campaign update
Just under a week ago we launched our “60% is not enough” climate change campaign on Facebook. A bit of background to the campaign is in my post from last weekend. We’ve already had a fantastic response, with over 700 people signing up as ‘fans’ and the number is rising hour by hour. If you are [...] 9:51 am
New Leader, Old Values
I like the fact that Nick Clegg, the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats wants to offer the voters, rather than politicians, the right to decide whether we should remain in the EU, rather than a ... 9:44 am
Proof, if it is needed, that the government care little about keeping us safe from terrorists
The government want to introduce ID cards, so they say, to help us all be safer and protected from acts of terrorism. Those who oppose the government on this feel that ID cards are another method of the government controlling the population. I agree with the opponenents of the government on ID cards. If you needed any proof as to why the terrorism arguments the government put forward are a falacy, then examine the fact that 121 jobs are going at the Defence Inteligence Staff (DIS). The DIS play an important role in the "war on terror" as they are ... 9:32 am
Some sort of apology
A little bit of overseas politics. You probably heard the news this week that the new Labor government in Australia issued a parliamentary apology to the Aboriginal communities. Eventually, the new Leader of the Opposition, Liberal Party Leader Brendan Nelson, decided to support the apology - although some of his Liberal colleagues boycotted the parliamentary session. Worth pointing out at this stage that the Liberal Party in Australia bears no relation to us Lib Dems here in the UK! Well, theoretically he supported the apology. But you can read his speech here and it is hardly heartfelt, or even making ... 9:23 am
Leyton by-election result in full
Great news - Winnie Smith won the Leyton by-election yesterday, with a massive majority. So, although the leaflets I delivered early yesterday morning can't have swung it, it's nice to be on the winning side. The result was: Winnie Smith, Lib Dem 1360 Labour 695 Carole Ann Vincent 176 Conservative 108 Green 90 Carole Ann Vincent, formerly of Big Brother fame, was standing either for Respect or with their support - from the leaflet I saw yesterday, it wasn't clear which. So a gain from Labour and the ward has three Lib Dem councillors again. Well done to everyone and ... 8:47 am
Glamis Drive
The City Council has informed me that Glamis Drive will be closed to traffic between the junction with Hillside Road and the junction with Hazel Drive on Monday (18th February). This is due to BT duct repair works and will affect the road for one day only. Pedestrian thoroughfare is unaffected. Anyone requiring further information can contact the City Council on Dundee 433168. 8:43 am
Glasshouse Field under threat.
Residents living in Southstoke Road and Midford Road, whose back gardens back on to the field were surprised to receive a letter from the Council asking them to sign a licence for the long standing use of their back gates into the field. For as long as many can remember some residents have had access into the field without any problem. This action coincides with rumours of the departure of Old Culverhaysians Rugby Club from the field and the £20m sale of the field for development. Local councillors were kept in the dark about the future of the field and ... 7:51 am
Manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide
A couple from Somerset have been killed whilst holidaying in New York. Jacqueline Timmins, 47, and Andrew Hardie, 48, were walking along a pavement near Madison Square Garden in Manhattan when a garbage truck mounted the pavement and struck and killed them. A third person was also injured in the accident. A 23-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital. At this point, you are probably thinking this was a just an unavoidable tragic accident. I know I did. However, it seems wed all be wrong. New York police have issued a statement; the 52-year-old driver had suffered a ... 7:49 am
Y Byd
The future of news may well lie with the internet and there are may be questions about how independent any newspaper that relies on huge sums of public money can be, but the people at Y Byd are having none of it. They appear to have abandoned attempts to establish a daily Welsh Language newspaper in the face of the Assembly Government's decision not to give them the funding they believe that they needed. Their press release confirms their unequivocal view that Ministers have broken a key One Wales pledge: A statement by Ned Thomas, Chair, Dyddiol Cyf. In light ... 7:47 am
Winnie Smith Wins Justice for Leyton!
Fantastic result at the Leyton by election in Waltham Forest, where our fantastic candidate Winnie Smith romped home with 56% share of the vote. I like many others was out over the last few weeks, campaigning, and saw little evidence that the electorate in Leyton supported another Labour candidate. This followed the conviction and disqualification of former Labour councillor Miranda Grell, who engaged in a disgraceful smear campaign against her Lib Dem opponent, Barry Smith, ruining his life, and forcing him to move out of London after death threats. Grell has refused to apologise, despite losing her ludicrous 'Justice for ... 12:12 am
Newsflash: Winnie wins for the Lib Dems in Leyton
Liberal Democrat Winnie Smith has decisively won the Leyton Ward by-election in Waltham Forest, which followed the disqualification of Labour’s Miranda Grell. Winnie received 1,360 votes - a 56% share and nearly double the Labour candidate on 695. The Conservatives saw their vote share decline and came fourth, behind a left-wing Independent candidate. The Green candidate [...] 12:04 am
Anorak alert - Ashes to Ashes makes an historical mistake
Watching the excellent Ashes to Ashes on the BBC on Thursday night I noticed in a sad rather geeky anorak way that someone had not done their research properly. When trying to work out which "Moore" would be killed from the threat in the poison pen letter, Chris suggested "Booby Moore", at which point it was commented on that "Well he was in Escape to Victory", which was a reference to his supposedly bad acting. The problem was that the film Escape to Victory was not released until 30th July 1981, and the episode of Ashes to Ashes was set ... 12:01 am
Day 2598: Cultural Revolution
Tuesday: Minister for Ruining our Childhoods, Mr "Total" Balls, and Minister for Spoiling our Fun, Mr "Crash and" Burnham, have got together as a PANTOMIME HORSE to inflict five hours a week of "quality culture" on kids. So, we add the "Culture Hour" to the "Sport Hour", the "Literacy Hour" and the "Numeracy Hour" and we'd better hope there are a few more TIME LORDS masquerading as teachers in our schools! Art, theatre, music these are things that you should DISCOVER for yourself, not have thrust down your throat like COUGH MIXTURE! And anyway, isn't that what BBC4 is for ... 
